Clarence A. Luhmann

October 10, 2012

FAIRMONT - Funeral service for Clarence A. Luhmann, 90, of rural East Chain, Minn., will be 10:30 a.m. Friday, Oct. 12, at East Chain Lutheran Church. Burial with full military honors by the Lee C. Prentice American Legion Post 36 and Martin County VFW Post 1222 will follow in the church cemetery.

Clarence passed away Tuesday morning, Oct. 9, 2012, at his home in rural East Chain. Visitation will be 5-8 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 11, at Lakeview Funeral Home in Fairmont and will continue one hour prior to the service at the church on Friday.

Clarence August Luhmann was born on April 27, 1922, in Rutland Township, Martin Co., the son of Albert and Ella (Kaeding) Luhmann. Clarence went to St. James Lutheran School in Northrop, and then the University of Minnesota Ag. School, graduating in 1940. On Aug. 8, 1942, Clarence entered the U.S. Air Force and, while he was in the Air Force, he was united in marriage to Winnefred Oltman on Sept. 25, 1943, in Pecos, Texas. Clarence served in the Air Force during World War II. He was a pilot for 35 combat missions in B-24 bombers in Europe. He was honorably discharged on June 23, 1945, and returned to Rutland Township to farm. In 1957, the family moved to East Chain Township where they farmed for many years. He retired in 1985. They enjoyed spending time at their lake home on Upper Hay Lake near Pequot Lakes, Minn. They also spent several winters in Arizona.

Clarence was very active in his community and the church. He was on the church council several times of the East Chain Lutheran Church. He was a member of the Martin County VFW Post 1222, Lee C. Prentice American Legion Post 36, D.A.V., vice president of the 2nd Air Division, 445 Bomber Group of the retired Air Force, Winnebago Co-op, Guckeen Elevator, 4-H Leader, East Chain Township Board and helped out at Heritage Acres.

Those who will cherish his memory include his wife of 69 years, Winnefred Luhmann of East Chain; three daughters, Janice Stromberg and her husband, Norwood, of Fairmont, Claudia Kastning and her husband, Dennis, of Fairmont, Diana Abelson and her husband, Victor, of Welcome; grandchildren, Debra Cole (Max), Patti Mielke (Chris), Robert Stromberg, Bryan Kastning (Lori), Kevin Kastning, Paul Kastning, Victoria Lake (Paul), Randy Abelson (Lori); 14 great grandchildren; sister and brother-in-law, Arleen and Virgil Heidenreich of Northville, S.D.; sisters-in-law, Fern Luhman and Phyllis Luhmann; brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Jim and Karen Oltman; nieces and nephews, other relatives and friends.

In addition to his parents, Clarence was preceded in death by one granddaughter, baby Abelson; great granddaughter, Morgan Meilke; two brothers, Alvin and Carl Luhmann; sister and her husband, Bernice and Irvin Widman; sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Delbert and Margie Anders.